Stories from Thursday, May 28, 2020

FAIRDEALING — The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of stress on people as they’ve had to deal with social distancing, isolation and shortages of commonly-used items. It also has taught valuable lessons about general preparedness and self sufficiency...

COLUMBIA — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Jeff Case has announced that USDA is investing over $18 million in to improve vital water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the state. Over 9,600 rural Missourians will benefit from the funding...

Gov. Mike Parson announced Thursday that Phase 1 of Missouri’s COVID-19 recovery plan will be extended through June 15. Phase 1 was scheduled to end May 31. Parson said during a press conference the extension is not meant to represent a step back, but rather to offer more time for communities to prepare for the second phase...

Betty Lou (Scott) Jackson, 87, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away May 28, 2020 at her home in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Betty was born Nov. 13, 1932 to the late Andrew and Maude (Dowd) Scott in Myrtle Beach, S. C. She spent her childhood in Qulin, Mo., where she excelled at sports and graduated. The highlight of her summers was attending the Annual Qulin Homecoming...

Dora L. Pigg, 61, of Williamsville, died Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 2020, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville Chapel. Memorial service will follow at 5 p.m., also at the Williamsville Chapel...

Willie Mae Martin, 72, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away May 13, 2020 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Willie was born April 13, 1948 to Willie and Mary (Thomas) Roberts in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She married George Martin but he preceded her in death...

City firefighters responded at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May, 27 to a motor vehicle accident at Vine and Fifth streets. There were no injuries. _ City firefighters responded at 1:21 p.m. Wednesday, May, 27, to Petco, 747 N. Westwood Blvd., to a fire alarm. When firefighters arrived, they learned work was being done on duct work which apparently made the alarm keep going off. The store manager was asked to contact the alarm company...

Missouri State Highway Patrol Lonnie M. Kelley, 18, of Silva sustained moderate injuries in a one-vehicle accident at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, on Missouri 34 about 6.8 miles east of Silva. According to the patrol report, Kelley’s 1994 Ford Ranger ran off the right side of the roadway striking a MODot roadway sign and a concrete wall. The vehicle came to rest in a creek. Kelley was transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center...

The Poplar Bluff R-I School Board approved replacing two 2010 district route buses. The approved bid, from Central States Bus Sales, runs at $150,000 in total if the district gets approval for a Volkswagen Trust Bus Grant. The grant would be for about $22,500 if awarded...

The Neelyville R-IV school district is making good strides in the right direction, but school board candidates see more to do, primarily with facility improvements.

Justin Beaird Age: 40 Spouse: Rebecca Children: Colby (15) and Nora (8) Occupation: Owner/operator of TOS Home Medical Current Affiliations: N/A Education: Neelyville High School and Three Rivers College — general education Bobby Burgett Age: 52 Spouse: Brandi...

To the Editor: This will be very short. We have a council election this Tuesday and an internet tax proposal. Here are the options. The city needs the tax passed. I am for passing the tax, just not right now. If we give the city council additional funds while they are misbehaving then they will have no incentive to change and to not continue snubbing the will of the citizens. ...